When we deal with adversity, we have a tendency to think that we are an isolated case; however, everyone faces difficulty at various times in life. We aren’t the only ones dealing with trouble. Our problems may seem overwhelming, but the truth is, with God’s help, we can face our problems and go on!
As I travel through the pages of Scripture, I see story after story of men and women who faced trouble in their lives, but God used those troubles to mold them and accomplish His purpose.
I think about a man by the name of Joseph. Joseph knew more than his share of adversity. His would be an extremely sad story unless we knew that there was a God in Heaven that was using the struggles to do a work. Joseph had to understand this truth at some point in his life, for he told his brothers: “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive” (Genesis 50:20).
God used the adversity of not being able to have children in Hannah’s life. First Samuel 1 tells us that her inability caused her to plead with God. If He would allow her to conceive and have a son, she told Him that she would give him back to Him. God responded and gave her a son, Samuel, who was mightily used of God to accomplish His purpose. His life and ministry arose out of his mother’s adversity.
I don’t know if you are facing adversity or affliction today. If you aren’t, that is good; there is a good chance that, eventually, you will be dealing with one. When adversity comes, how do we deal with it?
First, we need to understand that God has a purpose in our trials—a purpose for everything that touches the life of the believer. We need to be extremely careful that we don’t waste something that God has designed to strengthen and build us. If you are saved, God has a purpose for everything that touches you. Romans 8:28–29 speaks of this truth. Notice it doesn’t say that everything is good that touches us. It does say, however, that everything that touches the believer can work together for good. With that thought in mind, we need to ask God to show us that purpose. If God chooses not to show us, we must be content to believe that it is true, even if we can’t see it.
Second, we need to understand that God will give the grace and strength needed to deal with the matter. No matter what it is, no matter how difficult, we must believe what God has promised.
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.—1 Corinthians 10:13
Hebrews 4:14–16 speaks of this truth too! God will give grace to help in the time of need as we face temptations and trials.
Third, we must understand the way to deal with a trial is to turn to God and seek Him. Psalm thirteen is a brief Psalm, just six verses. It speaks of the Psalmist David going through a trial. He begins the first three verses distraught. He is struggling to figure out where God is. Those verses speak of his intense struggle and how difficult it was. By the time we get to the final three verses, something changed in the life of the Psalmist. It isn’t clear if the circumstances changed, but for sure, David’s attitude changed.
He ends the Psalm singing praises to God. The Bible plainly states that God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Humble is the person that realizes that his problems are too big and runs to the Lord with those problems. God will give grace and special attention to that man. The truth is the physical problem may go on for a while, but with God’s added grace and strength, you can deal with the problem.
You will face trouble and adversity in your life, but there is a God in Heaven that is there to help you! Turn to Him and grow in grace during the struggle. The day will come when the fog will lift, and you will be much stronger because of what God has brought you through.
